Is it bad to sleep with the air conditioning on?

Is it bad to sleep with the air conditioning on?

Find out if doing that is not good for your health.

Air conditioning is becoming an increasingly necessary and desirable appliance nowadays. Apart from making us feel comfortable, their design is becoming more and more stylish and their features, better and better. But you may have wondered, how would it affect you if you sleep with the air conditioning on? In this article you'll find the answer to this question, plus helpful tips on how to use your air conditioner.

How to sleep on an air conditioner?

As with many other things, everything here should be in moderation. But to know how to run your air conditioner adequately, first you need to know its features.

If you're unsure what features your air conditioner has, you can read the manual. There, you'll also learn what they're used for and how. During the installation itself, the professionals in this field will also give you quick tips.

Possible harms of sleeping with the air conditioning on and how to protect yourself

1. Getting a cold

When you fall asleep, your body relaxes and if you are under the cold blast of air coming from the air conditioner, you are likely to catch a cold. So when you feel yourself drifting off, it's best to tuck yourself in and switch the air conditioner to night mode. Even if you're awake, it's a good idea to set the air conditioner's air jet to not blow towards you.

2. Dryness

Some models don't have a humidification function and therefore dry out the air in the room. How can this affect you? Mucous membranes and skin become drier, breathing may become more difficult. You can get dry eyes, which also causes irritation and itching. The dryness also badly affects your book library as well as the plants in the room.

3. Stiffness and cramps

If the cold air is directed straight at you for a prolonged time, you may get stiffness and muscle cramps. To prevent this, change the direction of the air stream and, to be on the safe side, wear a light outer garment such as a cardigan.

4. Allergies

The air conditioning system should be kept in good working order. The filters should be cleaned regularly because they collect a lot of dust. If you don't clean them regularly, the dust and germs that circulate in the room can cause allergies. Therefore, it is also necessary to ventilate the room from time to time.

5. Chronic fatigue

Studies have been conducted to find that people who stand for long periods of time with the air conditioner running increase the risk of chronic fatigue and even headaches. The most common cause of feeling tired is lack of fresh air. It is therefore a good idea to ventilate the room once every few hours.

Benefits of sleeping with the air conditioning turned on

Your body temperature changes during the day and in the evening. This is called the circadian rhythm. When you fall asleep, your body temperature drops. This change is most often felt in summer, creating a sensation of higher room temperature. Therefore, the convenience of air conditioning is indispensable. This way, you won't sweat while you sleep and you'll have quality sleep.

What is the optimum temperature?

The right temperature for sleep is around 22 degrees, and you should have in mind that there is no perfect temperature. If you live with small children or older adults, you should also be careful with the room temperatures because they are more susceptible to colds.

The set temperature in the room should not have too much difference with the ambient temperature outside because this also causes stress to your body. The temperature difference should be between 7 and 10 degrees.

Correct setting of the air conditioning functions

Regardless of what season it is, you need to set your air conditioner's functions as correctly as possible. To avoid some of the consequences to you, you need to work wisely with your unit.

New air conditioner models have features to improve indoor air, eliminate bacteria and mould, and even maintain a healthy humidity in your environment. Another great feature is the sleep mode. So, consider the details when choosing a new air conditioner.

Protect your health and enjoy the comfort of air conditioning. Check out Fujitsu Airstage's models on our page. For additional information, feel free to contact us.